Disability Resource Center

Skills Necessary for Success at WIU

There are certain skills that are necessary to ensure success in any post-secondary setting. Ideally, all students will come to Western already equipped with those skills. However, if your student has not quite developed all of those skills, please see both on and off-campus resources listed below:

In addition, your student will need to have solid academic skills in reading, writing, and math. If your student needs assistance in these areas, you may want to look into remedial courses at a local community college.

It is also necessary for parents to help their students develop good communication skills, know when and how to ask for help, and be able to utilize available resources.

If you are concerned that your student may need the extra assistance of an academic/life coach, case manager, or a personal assistant, you may want to hire a student or Macomb area personal care assistant (PCA) to provide these services. For a list of local PCA’s, you may contact:

If you think your student may need weekly or daily assistance with any of the skills listed above, you may wish to hire an undergraduate or graduate student to act as an academic or life skills coach. You may contact the student employment office (309-298-2446 or Financial-Aid@wiu.edu) to advertise your position as an off-campus work opportunity. You and your student will be responsible for creating a description and hiring, supervising, paying, and terminating this employee.